More than 740 illegal media are seized in anti-piracy operations

 

Police authorities carried out search and seizure actions in cities located in Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Santa Catarina, Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul. In Uberaba (MG) alone, more than 350 media were seized

In Brazil, 47% of computers purchased at IT resellers are sold with pirated software installed or pre-infected with malware, including Trojans and other dangerous viruses, according to a study by IDC and the National University of Singapore (NUS – National University of Singapore ). Also according to the survey, the projection for 2014 of costs for consumers to deal with software piracy reaches US$ 1.9 billion in Latin America.

Throughout the month of March, police authorities in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil carried out, with the logistical support of ABES (Brazilian Association of Software Companies), searches and seizures of pirated software against IT resellers. The approach is part of the entity's efforts to combat software piracy in the country, whose percentage is still 53%, according to a study by IDC and BSA – The Software Alliance.

In total, 25 computer stores were approached and 741 media containing counterfeit copies of computer programs were seized. The city of Uberaba (MG) led the number of seized items, with a total of 359 CDs and DVDs; followed by the municipalities of Limeira (SP) with 84; Chapeco (SC) 81; Rolândia (PR) 50; Passo Fundo (RS) 40; Londrina (PR) 40; Porto Alegre (PR) 31; Cambé (PR) 31 and Araraquara (SP) 25. 

“Although the captured volume seems low, the major concern is the reproducibility of these products, which often contain malware (malicious code that can endanger user data). The IDC study found that, in many cases, these stores also sell computers with pirated software already installed, without the consumer suspecting that he is being wronged”, highlights Jorge Sukarie, president of ABES. 
 

Anonymous Reporting Portal

Faced with these alarming data and thinking about protecting users, ABES together with BSA – The Software Alliance maintains the Software Piracy Reporting Portal. “Whenever the customer suspects the origin of the computer programs offered in these stores, he can file an anonymous complaint through the portal, available at http://www.denunciopirataria.org.br/. If you prefer, you can also download the Portal application, available on Android and IOS platforms”, emphasizes Sukarie.
 

Penalties provided for the sale of pirated software

In addition to the loss for customers, these stores are subject to penalties for selling pirated software. “By infringing copyright, these computer resellers promote unfair competition in the market in which they operate. In addition, they can respond criminally with a penalty that can vary from six months to two years in prison or be fined with amounts that reach 3,000 times the price of each program used or reproduced”, highlights Sukarie.